Natural selection
PAULA GOODYER With IVF offering a monthly pregnancy rate that is two to three times higher than nature, it will always appeal to couples in the stressed-out 21st century. But achieving a pregnancy can be a bit like painting a wall, It's all in the preparation.
Fast lifestyle, faster sperm
NICKY PHILLIPS It is a finding that could warm many men's hearts: size does not count and a paunchy middle is an advantage. Australian researchers studying how quickly sperm can travel inside the female to reach the egg have shown that having more than one partner is the key to faster sperm, in mice at least.
The miracle of conception is no metaphor for some women
Fertility breakthrough offers hope for breast cancer survivors
Fertility not affected after taking the pill
Predict ovulation
Ovulation Calculator
Increase your chances of getting pregnant by determining when you are most fertile with Essential Baby's Ovulation Calculator.
considerations
Ready to start a family?
Having a child is almost certainly the biggest responsibility you will face. They turn your life (and house!) upside down and all of a sudden you have a small life whose existence depends on you.
Pregnancy symptoms
Am I pregnant?
Some women may feel pregnant soon after conception, while others may not experience any symptoms for some time into their pregnancy.
Conceiving a baby
Having a child today as compared to having children 20 years ago is quite different. These days we can make a conscious choice about whether or not to have children, and we can also choose when we will have them.
Sexual positions for conceiving
When it comes to conception there is a lot of discussion about successful positions for ‘making babies’. Unfortunately there is no widely-accepted ‘best position’ but here are some answers to common questions surrounding the act of conceiving.
A man's guide to conception
There are some pretty important basics that you should be aware of if you want to successfully conceive.
Your menstrual cycle
It’s probably been a good few years since high school biology and chances are your memory is a little hazy when it comes to explaining your cycle in detail.
Healthy eating habits
Nutritional status of both parents prior to conception can influence the health and well-being of your baby and its chances of optimum health throughout life.
Misconceiving
NICOLE SALINAS Sex education is important for young adults but it can often leave one with a lasting impression that falling pregnant is easy. Whilst this may be the case for some on average it can take a healthy couple up to twelve months to conceive.
Relationship considerations
Having your first baby initiates one of the biggest changes to your lifestyle that you will ever experience. While additional children will also bring changes, it is generally the first baby that causes the biggest shock!
How to have a baby on a budget
JODIE MCEWEN We didn’t set out on this parenthood journey looking to become financially rich, and yes, it takes money to raise a family. But how much does it really cost?
EB Newsletters
Essential Baby offer a great range of newsletters each month to keep up with the EB community, track the development of your pregnancy or child's development or just to provide updates on topics of interest to you
Fertility problems
Conception is not always immediate, in fact for couples not using contraception, only approximately 25% of women will conceive within the first month of trying.
Assisted conception and IVF
Some couples may need to investigate the options provided by some form of assisted conception. Assisted conception means using reproductive technology to increase your chances of getting pregnant during the month that you undergo assisted conception treatments.
Books to read on pregnancy and parenting
Essential Baby sources the best books on conception, pregnancy, birth, diet, baby care and women's care.
Gender selection
Gender selection is a much-talked of topic among our forum users, especially those pregnant or trying to conceive. Whilst many consider gender selection something of an urban myth, others swear by it. Either way you have a 50% chance of ‘getting it right’!
Develop and maintain physical fitness
Moderate exercise is important for good health, whether you are trying to become pregnant or not.
Healthy eating habits
Nutritional status of both parents prior to conception can influence the health and well-being of your baby and its chances of optimum health throughout life.
